News
Court Orders DSS to Allow Legal Access to Nnamdi Kanu Amidst Ongoing Visitation Restrictions
Nnamdi Kanu has been restricted legal access by the Department of State Service, he has been charged for terrorism in the federal high court in Abuja.
Kanu, detained since June 2021 after being repatriated from Kenya, has seen his legal team repeatedly claim that the DSS is intentionally blocking their access to him. This issue led the court on October 17 to warn DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, threatening possible jail time if access denial continues. In response, the court ordered Ajayi to explain the ongoing restrictions, which reportedly stem from orders within the SSS hierarchy.
Earlier, Judge Binta Nyako directed on May 20 that Kanu be permitted visitors three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—in a secure, clean room to meet with up to five lawyers for his defense preparation. Recently obtained court documents highlighted that these sessions were to provide ample space for Kanu’s legal team to take necessary notes.
Despite these directives, DSS officials argue that the court order only applies when active trial proceedings are underway, which they claim have been temporarily paused. They cited Kanu’s previous request for Justice Nyako’s recusal as a factor in delaying proceedings, though she has now resumed the case. The DSS, however, maintains that visitation is only warranted once trial proceedings officially resume.
Kanu’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Ejiofor, criticized the DSS’s interpretation as “childish,” emphasizing that the court order remains valid until explicitly overturned. He argued, “An order of the court does not ordinarily expire unless replaced by a subsequent court order.” Ejiofor added that the DSS has no legal basis to restrict access, stating, “Is it when the trial resumes that we begin to prepare Kanu for trial?”
Nigerian Politician and Human Rights Activist, Omoyele Sowore shows up to defend and support the NYSC corp member that has been threatened.
It can be recalled that a viral video has made its way to the country. A young lady who is serving the country laments about the government and President.
The viral video also gained the attention of NYSC, resulting to messaging the corp member. The message ordered the removal of the video and for the lady to report the office on 17th of March, 2025.
However fellow Nigerians and activists have spoken out and called to defend the Corp member against any official threat.
It was reported that Sowore arrived to the local government of the corp member to showcase support in handling the case.
Omoyele Sowore and some activists, including lawyers, accompanied Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member known as Raye, to meet with her Local Government Inspector (LGI) after she was summoned over a viral video.
Raye recently gained attention after she criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a TikTok video posted under her handle #talktoraye. In the video, she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation and blamed Tinubu for the country’s struggles, even calling him a “terrible leader.”
Shortly after her comments went viral, Raye claimed that NYSC officials had started threatening her. As a result, she was called to appear at the LGI’s office on Monday for questioning.
On Monday, Sowore, alongside several lawyers, including Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh, accompanied Raye to the office to support her. However, according to Sowore, the NYSC officials were nowhere to be found. He shared on his X handle that the LGI failed to show up despite Raye being scheduled to appear.
In a recent development, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced strong support for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye.
Raye recently gained attention after posting a TikTok video expressing her frustrations over the rising cost of living in Nigeria. In the video, she tearfully stated the increasing prices of goods and services, questioning the current administration’s efforts to address these economic challenges.
Following the video’s circulation, Raye alleged that she received threats from NYSC officials, pressuring her to remove the content and cautioning her against making political statements online.
Peter Obi took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to condemn these alleged threats, stating that such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy. He emphasized that silencing citizens reflects a corrupt and undemocratic government.
Obi also shared his personal experiences of facing intimidation and harassment for offering constructive criticism of government policies.
Obi called on the current administration to reflect deeply on its approach to dissent, underscoring that constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democratic progress.
He urged Nigerians to stand firm and continue advocating for a nation where freedom of speech is upheld, and leadership remains accountable, especially in critical areas like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
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